A top-level team from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been sent to Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, to tackle any possible potential cyber threats in the lead-up to the inauguration of the Ram Temple on January 22.

The collaborative team comprises officials from MHA's Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITy), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), and cyber experts.

This precautionary measure follows alerts from the Union Home Ministry's cybersecurity division, warning citizens about the risk of "malicious mobile applications" being circulated on WhatsApp by cybercriminals claiming to offer VIP access to the Ayodhya temple.

A recent advisory stated, "Be on guard for cybercrime! There is a growing trend of sending malicious mobile applications (APK) or forms related to VIP entry to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya through WhatsApp or advertisements. These could compromise your device and lead to cybercrime fraud."

Officials are closely monitoring the activities of cybercriminals leading up to the grand event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the global anticipation for the historic consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22.

In preparation for the inauguration, PM Modi announced in an audio message on Friday that he would commence an 11-day 'anusthan' (special ritual).

The inauguration ceremony will be attended by PM Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and other dignitaries. Thousands of seers from around the country have been invited, including the families of the laborers who contributed to the temple's construction.

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, overseeing the temple, has extended invitations to over 7,000 individuals, encompassing Bollywood celebrities, cricketers, and industrialists.

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